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Ryan Edwards is congratulated by his Argyle team-mates after his equaliser against Exeter (Image: Dave Rowntree)

1) HOLLOW VICTORY?

The fact that a strong Argyle side that showed only one change from the XI that started at Bristol Rovers on Saturday could only draw against a City side that made eight over the 90 minutes perhaps devalues the victory.

Exeter fans are quick to point this fact out, calling their XI a reserve team, and it is clear to see why, although the performances of Hiram Boateng and Kyle Edwards will surely put them into first team contention now.

As for Argyle, they had enough chances to have won the game in 90 minutes, but while there was an improvement in their attacking play, they were troubled by the pace and trickery of Exeter’s front four and City looked just as likely to score on the counter-attack.

Derek Adams will no doubt be pleased to have ‘won’ the game, albeit on penalties, but it is hard to believe it has been the shot of confidence that he so desperately wants and needed.

Jakub Sokolik of Plymouth Argyle challenges for the ball with Liam McAlinden of Exeter City

2) RIGHT-BACK WORRY

With Gary Miller suspended for the next three League One games and Oscar Threlkeld injured, Adams used last night’s game to take a look at Jakub Sokolik at right-back, with the forthcoming League One games in mind.

Sokolik coming in for Miller was the only change he made from the Bristol Rovers game, but he was given a torrid time by Exeter winger Kyle Edwards, who certainly had the beating of his man and turned him inside out before scoring a superb second goal for the Grecians.

Jordan Bentley is another possible option, but Adams insists the youngster isn’t ready for League One football just yet. But on this evidence, it must be a real worry for Adams as he will be without both his recognised right-backs for the next three games and Sokolik’s performance highlighted a clear area of weakness in the Argyle backline.

Hiram Boateng of Exeter City battles for the ball with Antoni Sarcevic of Plymouth Argyle

3) SLIPPED THROUGH THE NET?

There is no denying that Hiram Boateng was quality when he played for Argyle and it was a real shame when his loan spell was cut short and he returned to Crystal Palace.

Although he returned to Palace on their say-so and played once in the Premier League, he returned to Argyle later that season as the club reached the League Two play-off final.

Since then, his career has stalled somewhat. Until now. He was a surprise signing by Exeter on transfer deadline day and was the best player on the pitch in Tuesday’s Devon derby.

Given his links to Argyle and Adams in the past, is this a player that has perhaps slipped through the net from Argyle’s perspective? Although he is yet to fully establish himself in Exeter’s first team – Tuesday was his full debut for City – he demonstrated what a superb player he is and would provide the Pilgrims with the energy and drive from centre midfield that they seem to be lacking.

“Gregg has got very good delivery with his left foot and he puts it in a great area for the attacking players in that system to go and head the ball.”

Wylde was a constant source of danger all evening to be fair and looked Argyle’s post potent threat all night, both on the ball and with his set piece delivery. On this evidence, he surely deserves a prolonged spell in the first XI.

Nadir Ciftci scores the winning penalty kick during the Checkatrade Trophy match between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Home Park (Image: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK)

2) BOOST FOR CIFTCI

Not much has gone right for the Turkish striker since joining on-loan from Celtic, but he had his best moment in an Argyle shirt yet by converting the winning penalty in last night’s shoot-out.

Ciftci had only been on the field for a matter of seconds when the full-time whistle blew, but he showed what confidence he has in his ability with a cool penalty under pressure in front of the Devonport End to seal a 5-3 spot-kick triumph.

He will have been disappointed not to have started the game, with Adams preferring instead to field a strong XI, but he did what he had to do and that can only help his confidence.

The next step for Cifti is to now break back into the first team and break his duck in 90 minutes. Easier said than done of course.

The manner of the victory may be hollow, coming in the way that it did, but regardless of what team Exeter fielded, Derek Adams had his own agenda and could not afford to lose Tuesday’s game.

By hook or by crook, he had to win that game with the pressure growing on the Pilgrims boss, so he would have been the most relieved man in the Westcountry come 10pm last night as his side prevailed on penalties.

Had Argyle lost to Exeter, then that pressure would have grown immeasurably, especially as City had made so many changes to their starting XI.

It was the proverbial banana skin and everything pointed towards in-form Exeter upsetting the odds and heaping further misery on their great rivals from down the A38.

At 1-0 and 2-1, the travelling Exeter fans took great delight in telling Adams he was getting ‘sacked in the morning’ and you could hear the frustrations of the Green Army when things weren’t going their way.

But he survived and, whether it was penalties or not, won the game which is all he could do with Argyle perhaps on a hiding to nothing, given the circumstances.